College Application Dos & Don’ts for Success

Is the University of Southern California on your college list? Part of USC’s application process includes submitting a letter of recommendation. While your academic performance in high school carries the most weight in the admissions process, a strong letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor will tell another piece of your story — who you are, how you conducted yourself at school, and how you might contribute to the campus community. 

Considered among the best universities in the south, Tulane University is highly competitive. Class of 2030 admissions statistics have not been released in their entirety, but we do know the acceptance rate is approximately 15%

UCLA is part of the University of California system, which is comprised of 10 campuses throughout the state. Students applying to UCLA must use the UC application — the University of California system does not use the Common App or Coalition Application. The application process includes several personal statement prompts, or what UC refers to as personal insight questions. Keep reading to learn more about these prompts and tips for responding to them.   

The first college application deadlines for the class of 2031 will be here before you know it. Here are some of the early application deadlines students need to be aware of.

While grades may carry the most weight in college admissions decisions, there are many other important components of the undergraduate application process, including your letters of recommendation. These letters allow admissions officers to learn more about who a student is, the role they play in the classroom, and how they might shape their college campus.

With an acceptance rate that has dipped below 5% in recent years, there’s no doubt that getting into Harvard is exceptionally competitive. As a result, students who are interested in gaining admission to the top-tier institution need to understand that every component of their application matters, including the recommendation letters they submit.

With so much confusion about how colleges read applications and panic about dropping admission rates, it’s easy for parents and students to take any advice or admission rumors to heart, no matter the reliability of the source.

Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class. From asking about a student’s favorite snack to designing their dream seminars, many colleges are getting creative with their supplement questions so that admissions officers can learn as much about applicants as possible.

On this episode of Just Admit It!, IvyWise counselors Tasha and Victoria explain why choosing a dramatic college essay topic is not necessary and how being authentic and engaging in your essays is more important.

With colleges receiving record-breaking numbers of applications and acceptance rates hitting historic lows, many students feel pressured to “shotgun” their applications — applying to dozens of schools to hedge their bets.